Pennsylvania: The Hindu festival of Diwali has been designated as an official holiday in the US state of Pennsylvania. Senator from Pennsylvania Nikil Saval announced this in a tweet. Earlier this year in February, state senators Greg Rothman and Saval proposed legislation to declare Diwali a state holiday in Pennsylvania.
Saval tweeted that "The Senate voted unanimously to recognize Diwali as an official holiday! To all Pennsylvanians who celebrate this festival of light and connection: you are seen, you are welcome, you matter. Thank you, @rothman_greg, for the opportunity to join you in introducing this bill."
“Every year, Diwali’s festival of light and connection is celebrated at temples, houses of worship, and community centres across our Commonwealth,” said Senator Saval. Senator Greg Rothman thanked Senator Saval for agreeing to co-sponsor this piece of legislation and tweeted, “My legislation to recognise Diwali in Pennsylvania just passed the PA Senate 50-0. Today's vote upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity. Thank you @SenatorSaval for agreeing to cosponsor this piece of legislation."
Rothman stated that Diwali is celebrated by hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians each year, including many residents of the 34th Senatorial District,” adding that recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday upholds and celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity.
Around 600,000 Asian Americans live in Pennsylvania, according to India American Impact, with nearly 200,000 of them being Indian Americans, who celebrate Diwali grandly and glitzily every year.
Diwali is one of the most important festivals for the Indians which symbolises the 'victory of light over darkness'. It is a festival of lights and people worship the goddess 'Lakshmi'. This year, Diwali will be observed on November 12, 2023.